Colleen Cares

12/21/2025

The Colleencares Organization is pleased to have hosted a highly successful Toy Drive this holiday season, benefiting children at Luries Children’s Hospital on Christmas. We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and volunteers, whose support made this initiative possible. This tradition, established by Colleen, reflects her commitment to giving back, which we are honored to carry forward.

12/01/2025

While waiting for her second heart transplant for four months at Lurie Children’s Hospital , Colleen was in the hospital over Christmas. She knew how difficult it was for very ill children to spend the holidays in a hospital. She herself organized a toy drive from her hospital bed. It was a huge success thanks to so many generous people! Her brothers and Colleen handed out gifts Christmas morning to kids on the cardiac floor. Colleen continued the toy drive the years that followed until her passing. Colleen Cares Organization has continued this tradition every year.

Please consider a small donation to bring smiles to children’s faces on Christmas morning. Any amount is appreciated! 100% of your donations goes towards the toy drive.
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Happy holidays to all and best wishes for the new year!

Donate To Colleen Cares OrganizationColleen Cares Organization is raising funds for charities that helped Colleen and her family, among them are Donate Life, Junior League of Chicago, Lurie Children’s Hospital and Red Shoe Society Chicago supporting Ronald McDonald House. Your donations continue t...

07/06/2023

So filled with gratitude for the Red Shoe Society. One of Colleen’s top organizations she was a part of. We are honored and proud of our baby girl. Thank you for carrying on Colleens dream and never forgetting our daughter.

03/01/2023

11/10/2022

Sorry this took a while, but Colleencares organization had another successful fundraiser! We held a Murder/Mystery Dinner at the wonderful venue The Dole Mansion. There was a wine pull, auction items, 50/50 raffle, a beautiful Ruby necklace and a signature drink. We were served a delicious plated meal, desserts, and were part of a show that was full of laughs. We have heard nothing but excellent comments regarding the event. I truly mean this, I am excited to start planning our next event! I cannot say enough about the team that helped our organization! You all are the BEST!
Lastly, I hope my baby girl was proud of us and was smiling down with gratitude. I miss you Colleen Marie. I will continue to keep your vision alive and promise to do all I can to keep your memory and positive spirit alive.
Please continue to follow us here for future ways to help Colleen’s causes.

10/18/2022

Colleen Cares Organization was created in honor of Colleen Marie Gleason (1992-2020). Colleen was born in heart failure, leading to two heart transplants. She refused to let that define her or keep her from doing what she wanted, to help others. In Colleen’s short 27 years, she was able to live each day as a gift. Colleen dedicated her life to service by being part of countless charities and foundations. She continually put others above herself; she defined altruism. Her dream was to create a 501c organization. We have created Colleen Cares to continue her legacy. We will do this with gratitude and humility as she would.

09/30/2022

Hear Colleen's parents share more of Colleen's amazing story!

https://www.facebook.com/Ronald.McDonald.House.CNI/videos/330104352587257

09/30/2022

2022 Camp Colleen honoring's one of Colleen's dreams to brighten the day of children and families receiving medical treatment was a huge success!

The second annual Camp Colleen was held on August 4, 2022 across four Ronald McDonald houses in the Chicagoland area.

09/30/2022

Meet the one, the only, inspiring Colleen here:

 Colleen’s Storyby Christine Gleason, Colleen’s motherColleen Marie was born on October 13, 1992, in heart failure. She was a true fighter in every sense of the word from day one. She defied ALL odds. She received a heart transplant at the tender age of three. Colleen took on all the hardships,...

09/30/2022

Read about us!